On September 25, Nana Kwame Essel, a journalist with the Ghana News Agency, was assaulted by illegal miners while covering the collapse of a mining pit at Twifo Mampong in Ghana’s Central Region. The mining pit collapse had reportedly claimed three lives and trapped four people. Essel was filming the scene when some illegal miners confronted him and demanded that he delete the footage.
When the journalist refused, the miners physically attacked him and vandalised his equipment, including his mobile phone. He sustained injuries during the assault. According to the District Chief Executive for Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Isaac Yawson, it took the timely intervention of the police and himself to rescue the injured journalist.
He said Essel was rushed to safety and later taken to the Twifo Oil Palm Plantation Health Centre in Twifo Praso for medical treatment. Mr. Yawson further stated that the Ghana Police Service has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation with the aim of arresting and prosecuting all those involved in the attack.
The assault on Nana Kwame Essel highlights a worrying trend linked to illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey. Beyond the environmental destruction and economic losses associated with galamsey, journalists and even security personnel are increasingly facing threats, harassment, and physical attacks when they attempt to document or monitor these activities.
The Media Foundation for West Africa condemns the attack on Nana Kwame Essel and urges the Ghana Police Service to ensure a swift, credible investigation that leads to the prosecution of all perpetrators. Protecting journalists is critical to safeguarding press freedom and tackling illegal mining in Ghana.
